GAC WILL AIR GEORGE JONES' 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  (Sept. 13, 2011)  - Country music’s most famous show is returning to television. The Grand Ole Opry® will return to GAC: Great American Country for six star-packed “Opry Live” episodes to begin airing Tues., Oct. 4. The first show scheduled to air, an 80th birthday salute to country legend George Jones, will be filmed tonight and will feature performances by Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack, and more.

 Shows airing on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays in subsequent weeks will feature a who’s who of new stars, superstars, and legends of country music, including: Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Ronnie Dunn, Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and more. Airdates will be announced at opry.com and gactv.com.

 “GAC has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Opry over the past eight years, partnering with them on ‘Opry Live’ and specials including ‘Country at the White House,’ ‘Music City Keep on Playing’ and ‘Country Comes Home.’  Special moments happen on the Opry stage and GAC is pleased to be able to share those moments with our viewers,” said Sarah Trahern, SVP/GM, GAC.

 “We can’t wait to showcase some of this fall’s great Opry performances by the biggest names in country music with fans across the country on ‘Opry Live’ on GAC,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager.

 The return of “Opry Live” to television is being sponsored by Humana.

The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year, and the Tuesday Night Opry continues through Dec. 13.